This measure does not commit the BART board to use fare revenues set aside for capital expansion for that purpose; directors insist on having the “flexibility” to use this money for operations;

Contra Costa taxpayers are being asked in the CCTA sales tax Measure X to fund BART expansion, and should not have to subsidize BART labor contracts

2/3

NO

X

CCTA Transportation Sales Tax Increase – ½% - $97M

Although CoCoTax deplores local taxpayers being asked - again - to fund county transportation projects (that should be funded by outstate gas and vehicles taxes, as previously) our roads and bridges continue to deteriorate, and we must protect our investment, even if the state won’t

•Our three comprehensive high schools are among the best in the region. Liberty, Freedom, and Heritage provide outstanding instruction, preparing students for college and to compete for good paying jobs.All three schools have been awarded the California Gold Ribbon Award for excellence.

•While they vary in age, each one needs repairs and renovations. Measure U will ensure each school has comparable, equitable facilities that are built to reduce overcrowding and equally distribute student enrollment.

•Passage of Measure U will qualify our schools to receive matching funds of more than $30 million when it becomes available, reducing the cost of renovations to local taxpayers.

•Measure U requires a clear system of accountability, including a Citizens’ Oversight Committee, and independent audits to ensure all money is spent locally with no money spent on administrators.

•Whether or not you have school-age children, protecting the quality of our schools is a wise investment. Measure U protects the quality of life in our community and the value of our homes.

•The West Contra Costa Unified School District wants to tap your wallet - again. Property tax bills show multiple bonds from 1998 to 2012, and property owners will continue to pay these obligations for many years. In addition, a large share of our basic 1% county property taxes goes to WCCUSD.

•Voters also approved a parcel tax in 2004, slated to expire in 5 years, which was extended twice by voters to 2019. WCCUSD wants, again, to renew the parcel tax while years still remain on the current tax. Measure T would extend expiration another 8 years to 2027.

•But, has all this taxpayer money been well spent?

•Currently, the School District is under investigation by two federal agencies, and its $1.6 billion bond program is being audited for mismanagement, fraud and waste. This independent forensic audit was triggered by allegations of abuse disclosed to the public by a District employee “whistleblower.” (Incidentally, a recent report by the Contra Costa Grand Jury stated that the District has been paying over three times more for construction costs than the state average.) The result of the initial phase of the forensic audit was appalling, showing that the allegations are likely plausible. The full report is due August 31.

•Fortunately, some positive leadership changes have occurred. However, the whistleblower, who tried for years without success to bring problems to management’s attention before going public, just received an unsatisfactory performance evaluation, a clear violation of state law protecting whistleblowers from retaliation.

•Voters should wait for these investigations to reveal their findings, and demand that the District correct its shortcomings. It’s much too soon to entrust the District with more of our money.

2/3

NO

Y

Alamo Parks & Rec. – appropriations limit increased to $1,650,000

Majority

NO

POSIT.

Z

City of Brentwood– utility users tax – City services - $6.1M per year

This measure purports to fund the East Contra Costa Fire District (ECCFPD), but does not even mention the district, nor does it bind or legally require the City to fund the ECCFPD. This regressive Utility User Tax:

•Will impose an average household tax of $200 to $400+ and business tax of up to $1000 or more annually; it is clearly unaffordable for many residents.

Is a general purpose “slush fund” tax for the City of Brentwood, masked on the bills of the targeted utilities - cable television, electricity, gas, water and sewer.

Will generate revenues that will be deposited into the city of Brentwood GENERAL FUND forany usethe city determines is necessary for its own needs.

Will not force the city to negotiate a promissory agreement with ECCFPD nor annually fulfill its promise to fund the Fire District; the fire district’s budget forecasts will be unreliable.

Is designed to avoid the 2/3 vote requirement of other tax measures tried in the past by the ECCFPD, which failed.

Will burden all residences, businesses, non-profits, and other types of organizations within the city, damaging the economy.

Will be dependent on the city’s financial condition, and on the city council’s judgment and desire to satisfy their own perceived needs before it funds the fire district.

•Proponents haven’t even selected a site, and plans are too vague to allow reasonable cost estimates;

•This measure is a blank check

•Technology advances cause questions as to long-term debt for a brick-and-mortar building

2/3

NO

C

City of Lafayette– quality of life – 1% sales tax for 29 years

Majority

NO

POSIT.

H

City of Pittsburg– City Clerk from elected to appointed

•The Contra Costa Taxpayers Association strongly oppose this measure.

•As official custodian for all public meeting minutes and other critical documents, it is vital that the position of City Clerk not be vulnerable to pressure from the City Manager or council members in order to protect his/her job.

•The public relies on true and accurate public records of government actions, and as long as the City Clerk is only accountable to the people, they can rely on independent recording and record management.

Majority

NO

J

City of Pittsburg- Marijuana Business Tax – no more than 10% of gross receipts – if City amends municipal code or State law is amended

•This is just a tax grab and the issue of legalization of marijuana just complicates the matter.

•The city has deferred road maintenance to pay for raises and frivolous civic events;

•The city (like most) has a large unfunded pension obligation, and pension premiums are increasing dramatically; the city needs to realign its financial priorities

•The proposed library will replace one owned by the county, which seeks to be relieved of its $10M unfunded maintenance obligation

•Yet, the county insists libraries be operated by high-cost union employees

2/3

NO

M

City of Richmond– increase City’s Real Estate Doc. Transfer Tax from .7% to 1% and 1.5%

•What service does the City of Richmond provide the County Clerk-Recorder, who is responsible for real estate document recording? NONE

• What recording service does the City of Richmond provide the parties in a transfer of real property? NONE

•What preparation of recordable documents does Richmond do in a real estate transaction? NONE

•It is customary for local governments to charge a reasonable fee for services rendered, but this is a proposed tax for NO services.

•Richmond doesn’t have a revenue problem; it has a spending problem. The people of Richmond have a nation-wide reputation as hard workers - the legacy of “Rosie the Riveter.” But, Richmond’s politicians routinely find ways to waste hard-earned taxpayer money, like paying to send a sex worker involved in a recent police scandal to Florida, for “rehabilitation.”

•Richmond officials need to honor what Richmond families and businesses do, and learn to live within their means.

Majority

NO

L

City of Richmond– Rent Control Measure

•The city cannot manage its existing public housing projects; it should let the housing market determine rents